First lady distributes cash to island’s needy

First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim has distributed cash to people with special needs and their guardians on the island of Kulhudhuffushi in Haa Dhaal atoll, reports Raajje MV.

An islander told the website that envelopes carrying MVR1500 (US$97) were distributed during an event at Afeefuddin School.

“Madam helps people in every island she visits. So she helped people in Kulhudhuffushi too,” Velidhoo MP Abdulla Yameen Rasheed told SunOnline.

There are about 113 people with disabilities from Kulhudhuffushi registered at the National Social Protection Agency.

In 2016 the first lady, known as Madam Fathun, distributed cash in envelopes during visits to households in the capital Malé.

The activities of her campaign office and charity organisation have previously attracted controversy, most recently by distributing medicine and influenza vaccine during a severe flu outbreak last March.

According to Avas, she was welcomed Wednesday with cultural ceremonies depicting the traditional greetings to queens in the Maldives upon her arrival in Kulhudhuffushi.

Ibrahim Muaz, spokesman at the President’s Office, told Mihaaru the purpose of the tour was to “assess people’s living condition”.

Assuming that Yameen is the presidential candidate of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives, he said the first lady’s office was heavily involved in his re-election campaign.

In a separate development, the project to develop the runway and apron of the controversial Kulhudhuffushi airport is to be handed over to Maldives Road Development Corporation, reports VFP.

Photo: Kulhudhuffushi Online